Tobermory Play Park Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 12 June 2024
Back to Oban Lorn & The Isles Area Committee — 12 June 2024 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL OBAN LORN AND THE ISLES AREA COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 12 JUNE 2024 SERVICES TOBERMORY PLAY PARK – UPDATE REPORT No 2 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 In August 2022, the Scottish Government confirmed a full 5 year funding package to all Scottish Local Authorities from 2020/21 through to 2025/26. Argyll and Bute Council will receive a total of £938k for Play Park funding. 1.2 A report was presented to the December 2022 EDI Committee outlining the Play Park budget from the Scottish Government and the criteria which covered all of Argyll and Bute’s 30 Council managed Play Parks. The Committee noted the available funding for play park equipment and agreed the budget split for each of the 4 administration areas which did not include the Lochgilphead Play Park and Atlantis Play Park as they were relatively new and at that time needed no funding. 1.3 Oban Lorn and the Isles (OLI) Area Committee received an update report in September 2023 which noted the breakdown of engagement and consultation responses across the Argyll and Bute area with the majority of responses focusing on new/replacement equipment and agreed the relevant spend on Tobermory Play Park at £33,500. All work must be completed by 31 March 2026 to ensure full funding is received. 1.4 Previously in June 2016 a constituted group of local residents formed the Tobermory Play Park Committee and entered into a formal agreement with the Council whereby they raised money to replace old equipment and the Council took on a 10 year maintenance agreement. This agreement runs out on 1 June 2026. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee: • Note the engagement process and supportive work from local residents in the Tobermory Area. • Note the suggestion that local residents will continue with a constituted group with the option to take on the play park replacement works locally.
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• Note the Community Benefit work which has agreed a further £24k can be added to the funding for the play park.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL OBAN LORN AND THE ISLES AREA COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 12 JUNE 2024 SERVICES TOBERMORY PLAY PARK – UPDATE REPORT No 2 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report provides an update regarding the Tobermory Play Park engagement work for the Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee. 2.2 The report further outlines options available to potentially take the works forward either in-house by the Council or, as per previous agreement, with the local Tobermory Play Park Committee. 2.3 Previously Argyll and Bute Council carried out an engagement survey across the whole Council area in relation to play parks. This was well answered, however feedback from the Tobermory area was that locally the community felt that they could have been more involved. Subsequent meetings have taken place with local residents which included a further survey which supported the initial findings as well as a site visit where the local residents agreed to look at whether they would take the play works on from the Council to replace and improve the area. At the time of writing this report this is still being considered locally. 2.4 There are however potential procurement issues as previous work in the Oban area where a similar agreement was entered into proved costly for the Council when materials were found to be substandard. This will require prolonged discussions and agreements with the group to satisfy the Council that no likelihood of extra post-delivery costs will be encountered. 2.5 Whilst this is being considered as an option to allow the constituted group to take on the works, it may be preferrable and more prudent to allow the group to have a full say on what they want for the play park locally and go through the Council tender. 2.6 As part of tender processes for any works carried out across the Council, community benefits are actively pursued by Officers within the Council. It was highlighted that there are building works being carried out near to the Tobermory play park and as part of this contract management process it was agreed that £24k funding would also be allocated to support the Scottish Government play park funding for the Tobermory play park. This brings a total of £57.5k which can be used to replace equipment or if using the £24k build new equipment.
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3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee: • Note the engagement process and supportive work from local residents in the Tobermory Area. • Note the suggestion that local residents will continue with a constituted group with the option to take on the play park replacement works locally. • Note the Community Benefit work which has agreed a further £24k can be added to the funding for the play park. 4.0 IMPLICATIONS 4.1 Policy – This project will be delivered within the Procurement tendering process however, as we have had two unsuccessful processes already as well as a direct award failure members should note that this may well delay matters and officers. 4.2 Financial – funded from grant funding from Scottish Government and community benefit funding of £24k. 4.3 Legal – None known. 4.4 HR – None known. 4.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: None known 4.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – engagement will take place with appropriate groups, including the disability forum, to provide a positive impact on our young people. 4.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None known. 4.5.3 Islands – elements of renewal on all play parks, which therefore will not adversely affect islands. 4.6. Climate Change – we will endeavour to minimise carbon footprint of this project. 4.7 Risk – Failure to deliver within the allotted Scottish Government timescales may result in losing the budget allocated. 4.8 Customer Service – the intention of this funding is to provide better facilities for our customers. 4.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – None known.
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Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services Councillor John Armour 22 May 2024 For further information contact: Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services Jim.Smith@argyll-bute.gov.uk Hugh O’Neill, Network and Standards Manager Hugh.ONeill@argyll-bute.gov.uk